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be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1Timothy 2:3-4
Romans by the Book Lesson
96
Good
day and welcome to HBS. I’m glad and
thankful that you’re here today.
I’m going to try to
complete our study of Romans 11 this week.
But you just never know how this lesson will “unfold” once we start. I could discover a “side trail” and spend some time exploring it with you and this is
the thing. I have no intention of short-changing
God’s children or withholding noteworthy information from His beloved in other
words just to reach some goal. You’re
going to get my best always.
Please
open your Bible at Romans 11:28.
Romans 11
28: From the
standpoint of the gospel they (the Jews) are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for
the sake of the fathers; (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob)
What
is Paul saying here?
Because
God had revealed the mystery
(secret) of Israel’s partial hardening
and (true) Israel’s future restoration to our Apostle Paul (a Jew) he understood
her situation fully. We know Paul was
deeply concerned about their refusal to accept the Truth about Jesus Christ
being the only way to salvation. Thus, Paul’s heart’s desire and prayers to God were for their
salvation. (Romans 9:1-3, 10:1)
We
also know from the Book of Acts that Paul put his faith to work in preaching God’s Gospel to the Jews first: Now
when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to
Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom,
he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again
from the dead, and saying, “This
Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” (Acts 17:1-3)
But
we also know from the Book of Acts the Jews would not accept Paul’s preaching
about Jesus Christ crucified and he was persecuted by his countrymen for his
testimony. Paul experienced their rejection
of Jesus Christ personally. This is what
he means by saying: they are enemies of the gospel (v28).
What
does this book say? Let’s all go to Acts
13:46: Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary
that the word of God be spoken to you (Jews) first; since you repudiate (renounce) it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are
turning to the Gentiles (in hope that I might move some of you to jealousy and save some).
(Acts 13:42-46, 18:6, 28:28; Romans 11:14)
Well,
there you go… I didn’t intend to teach on this subject or even to bring it up,
but when a Bible verse comes to my mind I know it’s not there for entertainment
purposes. The Bible verse is Romans
1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power
of God for salvation to (who) everyone
who believes, (now watch this) to
the Jew first and also to the (Gentile or) Greek.
Casual
Bible readers miss out. However, if you
study your Bible there’s quite a bit “going on” in this verse. One of
the things this verse is communicating to us is God obligated (verse 14) Paul
to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews first.
Secondly,
the Gospel of God has the power to save everyone who believes. The one thing that can rule that out is an
individual’s unbelief or not trusting in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection
for the forgiveness of their sins. But God
has given His people first priority re:
His good news and four reasons
for this quickly come to mind:
- The Israelites are God’s chosen people (Genesis 12, Nehemiah 9:7; Deuteronomy 14:2) God not only chose the Jews to be His people He set His everlasting favor upon them, setting them apart from all the peoples of the earth. He did this freely on the basis of His choice. (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)
- The Israelites are the guardians of God’s special revelation – the O.T. Scriptures. In Romans 3:1-2 Paul says, “What advantage has the Jew?” Or what is the value of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles (Word) of God. God gave His promises and special revelation to Israel by Moses and the prophets. (Romans 9:4)
- The greatest privilege of all is the Messiah Himself came as a Jew to the Jews. (Matthew 10:5-6, 15:24; Romans 1:3, 9:5;
- Following up to that great privilege, the next priority the Jews have over the Gentiles is that salvation is from the Jews. This simply sums up everything I’ve mentioned so far. The Jews are God’s firstborn of the nations, they alone received the oracles of God, and Jesus Christ (a Jew) came to His own people to confirm the promises given to the fathers, so clearly salvation is “from the Jews.” (John 4:22; Romans 15:8)
Getting
back to v28, Paul says: but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved
for the sake of the fathers.
Scripture
reveals the whole house of Israel
had proven to be enemies of God’s
Son, Jesus Christ and the Gospel. For this reason, they became, “not My people” and were scattered to the
four winds by Divine judgment. (Hosea 1:9,
3:4-5)
However,
in spite of this enmity, the mercy
of God is such that He plans to save “all
(true) Israel.” Paul says that this is “from the standpoint of God’s choice,”
which is an obvious demonstration of His Sovereignty and His Grace. (Romans 9:25, 11:26)
Let’s
not forget what we’ve already learned.
Flip back to Romans 9:11: here
Scripture clearly says – God’s purpose
according to His choice would stand,
not because of works, but because of Him who calls.
Let’s
go to verse 29.
Romans 11
29: for the gifts
and the calling of God are irrevocable.
The
word irrevocable is a legal
term. It means: unable to cancel or recall; that which is
unalterable or irreversible, definite, binding, firm, fixed. The word “irrevocable” in the Greek is:
Ametameletos and means – not
repentant of; unregretted.
Here
is more evidence of God’s Sovereignty.
Despite Israel’s “in Your face”
idolatry, their evil doings i.e. sacrificing their sons and daughters to the
pagan god Molech, their sinful ways, and their apostasy God will not change His
mind, or sever His covenants with His chosen
people. God’s promises stand!
(Leviticus 18:21; 1 Kings 11:1-8, 12:31).
The gifts Israel received
from God we studied some time ago. They
include: the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law,
the temple service, and the promises.
(Romans 9:4-5)
The calling is that Israel is a
holy nation (set apart) unto God Himself.
He has determined His promises will come about not only in the coming
Millennium, but also in the new creation:
“For just as the new heavens and
the new earth Which I make will endure before Me, “declares the LORD, So your
offspring and your name will endure.
(Isaiah 66:22)
The
gifts which God bestowed upon His
people and the calling (or
invitation) with which He has favored Israel will never be revoked – for God does
not change His mind.
Let’s
go to verses 30-32.
Romans 11
30: For just as you (Gentiles) once were disobedient to God, but
now have been shown mercy because of their (the Israelites) disobedience,
31: so these also
now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may
now be shown mercy.
32: For God has
shut up all (both
Jew and Gentile) in disobedience
so that He may show mercy to all.
There
are a couple of things worth mentioning from this section of Scripture. First, I am reminded of this Bible
verse: For there is no partiality with God (Romans 2:11).
If
there’s no partiality with God (and
there isn’t) why do Gentiles believe they are better than the Jews? Why is it being promoted by God’s Church? (See Replacement Theology)
Remember
Paul’s teaching from Romans 3:9-11: What then?
Are we (Gentiles) better
than they (the Israelites) Not
at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are (what) under sin; as it is written, “THERE
IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
As
far as the only Righteous Judge is concerned, every sinner stands equal before God: Guilty!
Believers stand equal before God, as well for now there is no difference.
The Body of Christ is being filled with both Jew and Gentile at this
present time – we are one. (Ephesians 2:13-22)
Therefore,
take note. Gentiles are not better than
the Jews! In fact, Paul warned the
Gentiles several times to guard against becoming high minded toward the Jews saying:
do not be arrogant toward the
branches (v18). It’s as if he could foresee this issue becoming
a major problem in the years to come and he was correct.
Antisemitism amongst the Gentiles, I’ve heard it referred to as “the longest hatred,” has
persisted in many forms for over 2000 years. The seeds of Antisemitism were sown in the
early centuries of the so called Christian era by the early Church Fathers.
I’ll
cite one clear example: Martin Luther
(1483-1546), at his spiritual high point is much revered as the instigator
of the Protestant Reformation. At his sinful
low point he had a significant influence on German anti-Semitism owing to his
inflammatory statements from the pulpit and in his writings.
In
his book titled, “On the Jews and Their Lies,” he recommends that people, “Set fire to Jewish synagogues or schools,” He also suggested their “houses should be razed and destroyed,” and Jewish “prayer books and Talmudic writings, in which
such idolatry, lies, cursing, and blasphemy are taught, (should) be taken from them.” In addition, “their rabbi’s (should) be
forbidden to teach on pain of loss of life and limb.”
Nothing
published so far mirrors a Christ-like attitude or behavior, and Mr. Luther isn’t
done yet. His tirade continues: “safe-conduct
on the highways (should) be abolished
completely for the Jews,” and “all
cash and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them.” He also said the Jews could: “have a
flail, an ax, a hoe; a spade” put in their hands so “young, strong Jews and Jewesses” could “earn their bread in the sweat of their brow.”
If
you said, that’s a picture of the Holocaust, you’d be correct. Luther’s inflammatory comments were adopted
by Adolph Hitler and it’s been said Nazism was a legacy of Martin Luther, who
had called for “the urgent expulsion of
Jewish people from Germany” in his last sermon. Of course Hitler and his henchmen were more
zealous toward their mistreatment of the Jews than Luther had suggested. More than 6,000,000 Jewish men, women, and
children were killed by the Nazi regime.
Instead
of following Paul’s example of provoking the Jews to jealousy (v14) by displaying the love and patience of Jesus Christ to
all thereby drawing them near to our Lord and Savior, the Church has repeatedly
caused them offence while arrogantly (v18)
proclaiming that they had replaced Israel as God’s chosen people and
persecuting them even to their death.
The
Cross of Jesus Christ, supposedly a symbol of compassion, love, and God’s grace
for everyone (especially Christians),
has instead become a long-term symbol of suffering and oppression for the Jews
who were unjustly labeled “Christ-killers” down through the centuries thanks to
many people who bear Christ’s name - Christians.
The
Truth is it wasn’t the Jews or the Gentiles that killed Jesus Christ. Oh they
conspired together and performed His execution true enough but it was God the
Father who predetermined His mission
and His death for the sins of mankind: …this
Man (Jesus Christ), delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge
of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put
Him to death. (Acts 2:23; John 3:17;
Psalms 1:1-3)
So
much hatred; so much needless suffering; and countless lives lost over the
centuries all due to man’s sinful nature and their failure to understand
what God had said: If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love,
I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the
gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge;
and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love,
I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2; Matthew 22:36-40)
When
people choose to hate the Jews and persecute them no matter how, they are following
Satan’s agenda and not the Creator God’s.
There’s
one more thing I want to mention before we move past verses 30-32.
Romans 11
30: For just as you (Gentiles) once were disobedient to God, but
now (in God’s Dispensation of Grace) have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
31: so these (the Israelites) also now have been disobedient, that
because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.
32: For God has
shut up all (both
Jew and Gentile) in disobedience
so that He may show mercy to all.
Paul
uses the word mercy four times in
this paragraph, which means we should pay attention to it. He reminds his brethren (and is teaching us)
that just as we were once disobedient
and rebellious toward God but had now received His mercy through faith, (true) Israel,
who is being disobedient and rebellious at this present time, will receive His mercy in the future.
Paul
writes: What shall we say then? That
Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the
righteousness which is by faith, but Israel, pursuing a law of
righteousness, did not arrive at that
law. (Romans 9:30-31; Romans 11:26-27)
Both
the Jew and the Gentile failed to please
God on their own. Scripture says: The
fool has said in his heart, “No God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one
who does good… (Psalms 14:1; Hebrews 11:6)
Man
couldn’t save himself. But God through
the substitionary death and resurrection of His only Son solved
mankind’s sin problem and is now able to provide mercy to everyone who believes.
The
final section of chapter 11 is a doxology. The word “doxology” comes from two Greek
words, doxa, which means: glory or praise and legein, which means: to
speak. It
means: “to speak of His glory – these
verses are a hymn of praise to Yahweh the God of Israel.
A
Christian Group called Third Day released a new song called: Soul on
Fire. The song title (not the
lyrics) describes our brother Paul to a “T.”
Paul, God’s apostle, was one of His greatest enthusiasts. Nothing could put Paul’s “fire out;” my how people
tried, but they could not because he knew he was doing the right thing for all
the right reasons.
God’s
Church is suffering today because of a lack of enthusiasts like Paul.
It
was the Truth of Romans 11:32 that compelled Paul to speak in adoring wonder
marveling at Yahweh’s mercy: For
God has shut up all (both Jew and Gentile) in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
The
word mercy in the Greek is: Eleeo,
which means: to help one afflicted or
seeking aid, to bring help to the wretched.
Mercy is an outward
manifestation of pity. The Greek word
has within it the idea of “living from (the assistance) of others.” So, to receive mercy from God is to live
from another. Believers have been
given mercy that contains within it
the payment for our sins by the Lord
Jesus Christ, which is life eternal. He
took our death and gave us His life.
Salvation is an act of mercy.
Our
salvation is not by merit or works, it by God’s Divine mercy.
(To
be continued)
©
Copyright 2011
GJ
Heitzman’s Ministry
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